Sunday, 23 October 2011

I probably should write a recap of the Problogger Training Day, but I've never been one for "shoulds." I felt incredibly self-conscious the whole time I was away. Usually I can swing it, and am ballsy and talk to everyone, but this time I was so shy and kept looking at the ground when I walked through the sea of people.

The sea of people stayed for post-conference drinks. I was keenly aware of the rising crescendo in the room. The tension being let out, the edge being taken off. I asked for sparkling mineral water but they didn't have any so I drank orange juice out of a tall glass and felt stupid. I had to get out of there quick smart with nary a goodbye to anyone.

The day itself was great ... Darren has achieved so much. If I were his mum I would be proud of his beautiful heart, above all else.

Darren, are we related?

Most sessions were informative, I always love meeting up with bloggers. We are a mixed bag of lollies. Some were posturing wankers who would look straight through you, but most are beautiful and friendly.

In one session, I felt like I was doing my blog all wrong. Who *is* the blog co-ordinator of the world, anyway?

Walking by myself out into Melbourne streets, my soul caught its breath. I looked for Bat Baby again.

I love him and I don't know why.

Took a photo of this really cool ladies toilet. It would be a great image for a blog post on being a woman. There are blog post inspirations all the time, from things out there in the real world.

I found my hotel completely by accident, went inside and just sat there. Scratching my metaphorical balls.

2) Listening to Mrs Woog on her panel. The woman cannot pretend, which is why so many people love her. She called SEO "SAO's." She brings a beautiful sense of irreverance and fun to the Aussie blogosphere. Her secret to success is not wondering what her secret to success is.

3) Meeting the team from L'Oreal Australia with Nikki on Thursday. They are all so glamorous and beautiful. I ate two macarons and two cupcakes, while they all ate nothing. At one point I said, "My GOD you are all SO BEAUTIFUL! With your cool jobs in your awesome building! I wish I was like you in my twenties. I was too .... busy."

5) Valerie Khoo machine-gunned advice and inspiration towards me in under ten minutes, which she should probably invoice me for. She is the founder of Sydney Writers Centre. I first did a course with her five years ago, it was so nice to see a friendly face.

6) The Social Media for Social Good Panel with reps from World Vision. They are actively seeking to work with Australian bloggers. (Twitter is HERE.)

7) Seeing #OccupyMelbourne tent city for the first time on Thursday, by the time I got back there on Friday to talk to them all, they had been arrested by riot police and a huge wire fence had been erected. I asked a copper, "Did they go quietly?" And he ignored me because he was a prick.

They did not go quietly at all.

It's midday and I'm still in my pyjamas. Dave will be home with the boys any minute, I need to get up and look productive. I miss them so. Who am I, without them? Last night I had the house to myself for the first time in years, and ended up eating pizza in bed and watching a series of short horror films on SBS. Felt sure I could hear my murderer hiccuping in the closet, but I was wrong!

Waynes daughter just showed us the other day that Adele song 'rolling in the deep' and I am thinking.... I have heard this song somewhere before.....! Oh that's right Eden dancing on her couch.... So cool. when I listen to it, I only think of you Dancing. I love it. You have your own tune!

I ducked up to my room several times during the conference, just for some quiet. To calm the adrenalin pumping through my veins, to stop myself for gawking and gushing over idols... you were not alone in needing to be alone. We all need to 'process' and by golly gosh Darren gave us a hell of a lot to think about x

This is what scares me about the DP Con. I feel sure that I will get there and then not be able to leave my room. I simply don't know how to talk to people. At all. Let alone in abundance. And have to take so much freaking information in. My head will be spinning. So Valerie Khoo or Planning Queen seminar? What do you think I should do?

I love you even more than Regretsy and Missy. And, that's saying a lot. I will be forever grateful to Liz and Danimezza for pushing my shy ass over to meet you! Sending you all my love from the orange trees and vineyards in North West Vic. Can't wait to catch up with you again one day! xx

Eden, you are fabulous. Glad I got to see you again at the #pbevent. I missed the bat baby but I did get pictures of the baby with the tail (not sure if it's a dragon or devil or something). Mrs Woog's SAO comment cracked me up! xx

Blogger must be angry with me about the switch to WP bc it always eats my brilliant comments...this one said something along the lines of "what the fuck is SEO" -- and "I miss you" -- and how you are the one I always think about when I have those perfectly normal days that to me seem dark and, well, dark ... but to anyone else it would seem perfectly fine -- stupid past bullshit haunting me.